ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-backed Yemeni government on Saturday tightened security to confront possible terror attacks in the southeastern province of Hadramout, according to a provincial statement.

The decision was made during an exceptional military meeting held by Faraj Bahsani, governor of Hadramout, with leaders of the army brigades in the 2nd Regional Military Command over the challenges of terrorism, the statement by the Hadramout authorities said.

The military leaders agreed to tighten security measures, especially in the areas of Hadramout Valley and surrounding areas, the statement added.

During the past two years, militant groups, including the Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), had seized key areas in Hadramout Province, but were expelled later by the Yemeni forces backed by the United Arab Emirates.

The AQAP network, mostly operating in Yemen's eastern and southern provinces, has been responsible for numerous high-profile attacks against security forces in the country.

The U.S. military has carried out several airstrikes against AQAP fighters in different provinces of the war-torn Arab country since President Donald Trump approved expanded military operations against the group.

The Yemen-based al-Qaida branch, seen by the United States as the global terror network's most dangerous branch, has exploited years of the deadly conflict between Yemen's government and Houthi rebels to expand its presence in the country, especially in its southeastern provinces.